Tags: Suprax

Clinicians should be familiar with the general classes of antibiotics, their mechanisms of action, and their major toxicities. The differences between the specific antibiotics in each class can be subtle, often requiring the expertise of an infectious disease specialist to design the optimal anti-infective regimen. The general internist or physician-in-training should not attempt to memorize all the facts outlined here, but rather should read the pages that follow as an overview of anti-infectives. The chemistry, mechanisms of action, major toxicities, spectrum of activity, treatment indications, pharmacokinetics, dosing regimens, and cost are reviewed.

A wide variety of antimicrobial agents is available to treat established infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. This section will cover the general principles of antimicrobial therapy and will also include illustrative clinical problems to emphasize proper decision-making in using antimicrobials.

The drug also is used for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea and has been used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible Salmonella or Shigella. Because cefixime has a long serum half-life and can be administered once or twice daily, some clinicians suggest that the drug may be particularly useful when patient compliance is a concern (e.g., in the treatment of otitis media). Although cefixime is an effective alternative to other anti-infective agents for the treatment of many infections, the drug offers no clear advantage (except for a convenient dosage regimen) over other equally effective, less expensive anti-infectives available for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections or upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

Are generic drugs as effective as brand-name drugs?
Yes. A generic drug is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, quality, the way it works, the way it is taken and the way it should be used.
FDA requires generic drugs have the same high quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name medicines.
Not every brand drug has a generic drug. When new meds are first made they have drug patents. When the patent expires, other pharma companies can start selling a generic version of the drug.

Antibiotic drugs

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.
Some antibiotics only kill certain types of bacteria, while others antibiotic drugs (broad-spectrum antibiotics) are used in dealing with a wide range of bacteria.
Antibiotic drugs are not effective against viral infections like the flu, the common cold, and most sore throats.
Popular antibiotics, which people buy in pharmacies: Cipro (Ciprofloxacin), Augmentin (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate), Bactrim (Co-trimoxazole), Zithromax (Azithromycin), Flagyl (Metronidazole)